Dysfunctional

In this episode of Dysfunctional, Josh sits down with Chanel Duffy for a raw and deeply honest conversation about childhood abuse, narcissistic parents, coercive control, survival mode, and what happens when you finally stop minimising what you went through.Chanel shares how she spent years believing her childhood was “normal” before realising she was living in deep denial and survival. Together, they explore betrayal blindness, emotional suppression, domestic abuse, addiction in the home, parenting after trauma, and the long journey of learning softness, safety, and self-trust.A powerful conversation for anyone healing from toxic family systems.Find Chanel - https://www.chanelduffy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh sits down with trauma coach Ana Gersch to explore emotionally immature parents, estrangement, and the role of validation in family relationships.Ana shares her journey into trauma work, blending somatic practices, spirituality, and modern coaching. Together, they unpack how trauma lives in the body, why emotional immaturity shows up in parents, and what actually defines emotional maturity.They also dive into the rise of estrangement, whether no contact is a trend, and how social media is shaping these conversations.A key theme throughout is the difference between validation and agreement, and why this misunderstanding often keeps families stuck.This episode offers a grounded, honest look at healing, boundaries, and what it really takes to have a relationship with someone as they are, not who you wish they could be.Find Ana - https://www.instagram.com/ana_traumacoach/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Amber Hughes for a powerful conversation about addiction, homelessness, grief, and the impact all of it has on families.Amber shares the story of her sister Hannah, who experienced addiction and homelessness before passing away in 2017. We talk about the chaos and heartbreak of loving someone through addiction, the stigma that still surrounds homelessness, and how these struggles affect the whole family, not just the person at the centre of it.Amber also shares how she has turned that pain into purpose through Amber Lights in Oxford, raising awareness, supporting local charities, and helping children understand homelessness with more compassion and humanity.A raw, honest and deeply human conversation.Links:https://www.instagram.com/amberlightsinoxfordhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-hughes-bem-1a888b38a/https://amberlightsinoxford.com/https://www.gofundme.com/f/Publish-our-book-on-homeless-education-forchildren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Marston for one of the most raw and honest conversations we’ve had on Dysfunctional.Laura shares her journey from being labelled and sectioned, spending years in and out of psychiatric units, struggling with addiction, and being told she had a “disordered personality”… to beginning to understand her experiences through the lens of trauma.We talk about emotional neglect, family dysfunction, self-harm, psychosis, and what it’s like to grow up without your needs being met.But more than anything, this episode is about what happens when you stop seeing yourself as broken… and start taking your life back.We also explore:What psychosis actually felt like from the insideThe reality of psychiatric wards (and why they often don’t help)Being diagnosed vs understanding traumaAddiction, survival and coping mechanismsGoing no contact with familyBreaking generational patternsLearning to sit with yourself instead of escapingRebuilding your identity from the ground upLaura also shares how she’s now supporting others through resilience coaching and community, and what helped her move from survival mode into something that actually feels like living.This one is raw, emotional, and incredibly powerful.Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm, suicide, childhood trauma, abuse, addiction and psychiatric hospitalisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich Finegan joins me for a powerful conversation about family estrangement, neurodivergence, anger, shame, and what it means to finally let yourself feel.We talk about emotional suppression, accountability, parenting, dyspraxia, and the relief that can come when you realise you’re not broken and you’re not alone.A deeply honest episode about healing, self-acceptance, and learning to show up for yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh sits down with Sue Deagle for a powerful conversation about loss, grief, resilience, and life after everything changes.Sue shares the sudden loss of her husband and the journey of rebuilding a different kind of life in the aftermath. Together, Josh and Sue explore why grief and joy can exist at the same time, why people often struggle to support those in pain, and how loss is something we all face in different forms.They talk about friendship, courage, work, parenting through grief, and Sue’s powerful idea that after loss, a different kind of great is still possible.Let me know if you want an even tighter version.https://thedobook.co/products/do-loss-a-new-way-to-move-through-change?Format=eBook&mc_cid=d1b275e995&mc_eid=2cb75235bb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with five extraordinary young people to talk about what it’s really like to grow up with a parent in prison.The courage and maturity they bring to this conversation is breathtaking. They speak honestly about shame, stigma, anger, confusion and loss, but also about resilience, ambition and who they’ve chosen to become because of it.This isn’t just a conversation about hardship. It’s a conversation about strength, success and the voices we don’t hear enough. I have no doubt this episode will help a lot of people feel seen.https://childrenheardandseen.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

n this episode of Dysfunctional, Josh Connolly is joined by Ian Stringer and Scott Murdoch to talk about Chasing Yesterday Marathons a powerful endurance challenge raising money and awareness for NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics).We unpack what it’s like growing up with an alcoholic parent, the silence and shame that keeps families stuck, and why children of alcoholics often feel like they’re the problem. Ian shares the devastating story of losing his mum to alcoholism. Scott shares his journey from chaos to purpose, and the urgent need to get support into schools.We also explain the challenge: running a marathon in Samoa, then flying across the International Date Line to run another marathon “yesterday” in American Samoa all within 24 hours.👇 Donate / Sponsor / Support NACOA https://www.justgiving.com/page/chasingyesterdaymarathons?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLhttps://nacoa.org.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh is joined by Karl Melvin to unpack the recent Beckham estrangement headlines, Oprah’s conversation on family estrangement, and why this topic provokes such strong reactions. Together, they explore abuse, validation, projection, and what actually helps when families break down — especially when children and parenting are part of the picture.To sign up to the event secure your spot here - https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/parenting-through-estrangement-tickets-1979401930458?aff=oddtdtcreatorFind out about Karl here - https://www.karlmelvin.com#beckham #estrangement  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Elaine Baxter, a breathwork facilitator who’s been through the full arc of modern wellness, from fixing and performing, to actually holding space in a way that’s real.We talk about ditching the “spiritual costume” and why so much of the healing industry rewards masks over authenticity. Elaine shares how breathwork helped her reconnect with feeling after years of numbness, grief, people-pleasing, and trying to hold everything together.We explore what trauma-informed actually looks like in practice, the difference between fixing and holding, and why safety, honesty, and grounded language matter more than aesthetics, labels, or vibes.This conversation is for anyone who wants deep work without the performance, and real healing without having to become someone they’re not.Elaine is a Breathwork Facilitator who has supported people in processing emotions through the breath since 2020 and is a qualified Inner You Breathwork Facilitator. At the heart of Elaine’s practice is a commitment to creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgemental space, where people are met without pressure to change and genuine healing can naturally unfold.https://www.instagram.com/rebalance_with_elainehttps://misneachcentre.ie/allied-health-professionals/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dysfunctional, I’m joined by relationship recovery coach Jo Westwood for a deep, honest conversation about toxic relationships, codependency, and what real self-worth actually sounds like in practice.We talk about love bombing and how to spot it early, the moment “the switch” happens after commitment, and why being nice, polite, or endlessly understanding can quietly turn into self-abandonment.We also unpack why so many people rush to defend power, fame, and parents at all costs, using the viral Anthony Hopkins estrangement clip as a real-world example of how society struggles with accountability, family loyalty myths, and reading the energy behind someone’s words.This is a conversation about slowing down, trusting your instincts, and learning to say:“You don’t know me well enough yet.”And meaning it.We explore:The difference between love bombing and genuine connectionWhy codependent people can be manipulative without meaning to beThe “special one” fantasy and how it keeps people stuckWhy healthy relationships can handle a slow startEstrangement, boundaries, and the myth of unconditional family loyaltyPoliteness vs kindness, and why people-pleasing pushes people awayWhy abusive people don’t cut you off, and why survivors often have toThis episode isn’t about blame, cancel culture, or perfect healing.It’s about self-reflection, personal responsibility, and building relationships that don’t require you to disappear to keep the peace.If you’ve ever felt confused, drained, or like you keep ending up in the same painful dynamics, this one’s for you.Find Jo:Website: http://jowestwood.comIG: http://instagram.com/jowestwoodThe Anti People Pleasing Podcast link: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-anti-people-pleasing-podcast/id1576679526Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4av63LLVwYNt8MNMu8YgarAudible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/The-Anti-People-Pleasing-Podcast/B08K61YDSF Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trauma doesn’t just live in your head. It can shut down your voice too. Vocal coach Claire Delaney joins me to talk C-PTSD, nervous system survival, toxic industry culture, and finding your voice again."Claire is a vocal coach who works with singers and actors whose voices have to hold up under real-world pressure. She’s coached performers across the West End, Broadway, and the National Theatre, and has worked for Italia Conti and ITV’s Mamma Mia: I Have a Dream. Her approach is trauma-aware and shaped by the belief that you can’t separate a voice from the person using it. Her work blends science, psychology, and practical technique, with a lens shaped by lived-experience. She helps performers rebuild the physical, emotional, and technical foundations of their voice, aiming for long-term reliability, confidence, and self-trust to make singing actually enjoyable again."Instagram: @clairedelaney.vocalcoach Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.